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French prosecutors move to block African leader probe

French prosecutors said they would appeal to block an investigation into claims the presidents of Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville and Equatorial Guinea plundered state coffers to buy French property.

AFP - The Paris prosecutor's office has appealed a judge's decision to investigate whether three African presidents plundered state coffers to buy luxury homes in France, a legal source said Thursday.

The judge decided Tuesday to launch a formal probe in response to a lawsuit filed by Transparency International France against the presidents of Gabon and Congo -- both former French colonies -- and of Equatorial Guinea.

But state prosecutors plan to appeal to try to block the probe, arguing that the independent anti-graft watchdog has no right to lodge a complaint because it is not a direct victim of any wrongdoing, the source said.